The pathetic intervention of the old guard National Party in the guise of ‘Auckland Future’ effectively put paid to any chance of a more fiscally conservative leader for Auckland. By splitting the right wing vote several ways they left the field wide open to the single high profile candidate of the Labour Party. The inevitable result has been to land Auckland with Len Brown on steroids. Phil Goff is your typical high spending, high taxing Socialist. Brace yourselves for rates rises, more levies, higher charges for basic Council services that should be paid for through rates.

The damage done by Auckland Future has not only been in the mayoralty race. They stood candidates against fiscally responsible incumbent Councillors, forcing one, George Wood, a shoe in for North Shore, to opt out of the race and instead stand for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Now Grant Gillon is in a neck and neck struggle for George’s old seat. Meanwhile they stood candidates against Christine Fletcher in Albert-Eden leaving the long time National stalwart wondering why her old party had stabbed her in the back.

In other words Auckland Future ran the dumbest of dumb campaigns.​The only successes for those wanting to see an end to the culture of waste in Auckland Council came from the campaigns run by the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance against Terrible Ten Councillors Penny Webster and Calum Penrose both of whom have been replaced by fiscally conservative members.

​AUCKLANDERS ELECT COUNCILLORS STANDING FOR FISCAL BOUNDARIES

The preliminary results of the Auckland Council election represent a win for Auckland ratepayers and the end of Len Brown’s regime of reckless spending and empire-building.

The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance is pleased that at least 8 members who signed its Ratepayer Protection Pledgehave been elected onto the new Council. Add to this the election of Auckland Future’s Denise Krum (having signed up to Auckland Future’s version of the pledge), and proven fiscal-conservative Daniel Newman, the new Council should enjoy a majority of 11 fiscally conservative members in a Council of 20, should Grant Gillon win his neck and neck battle in North Shore.

Jo Holmes, Spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance says, “The results are a stark representation of how fed up Aucklanders were with the Len Brown regime, and their wasteful spending priorities and rates hikes. We have campaigned tirelessly for an end to this regime, and today we achieved that result.”

“We are particularly pleased to see the election of Greg Sayers in Rodney. The Ratepayers’ Alliance put considerable effort into exposing former Councillor Penny Webster, who was Len Brown’s chair of the Council’s Strategy and Finance Committee. Clearly this campaign struck a chord with Rodney ratepayers.”

“The Ratepayer Protection Pledge prevents those candidates from voting for any measures which increase the total average burden of rates, levies, and other compulsory Council charges, more than 2% per annum. Over the coming three years, the 16,000-plus members of the Ratepayers’ Alliance will be ensuring that these pledge is upheld,” concludes Ms Holmes.​Candidates backed by the Ratepayers’ Alliance elected onto the Council (based on preliminary results):· Albany – John Watson and Wayne Walker· Albert-Eden-Roskill – Christine Fletcher· Howick – Sharon Stewart and Dick Quax· Manurewa-Papakura – Daniel Newman (Fiscal Conservative)· Maungakiekie-Tāmaki – Denise Krum (Auckland Future)· North Shore – Grant Gillion neck and neck· Ōrākei – Desley Simpson· Rodney – Greg Sayers· Waitematā and Gulf – Mike Lee

Terrible Ten Councillors Mike Lee, John Watson and Wayne Walker all signed the ARA pledge because they feared losing in their wards. If they think they can revert to their old spendthrift ways now they are re-elected they will feel the wrath of our 16000 members.

Lee only just squeaked by in Waitemata. He is on borrowed time. I will be shining the light on his duplicity wherever it arises. He has done nothing for Waiheke in six years except give the island a 50% rates rise. The new Waiheke Local Board should try and exert pressure on him to help solve the parking crisis at Matiatia, the only path to his redemption as Councillor for the Gulf.